Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 09/10/2017 15:04:33    2054144

I had great respect for many of the Kerry footballers down through the years, paudie o Shea, Jacko, Pat Spillane, bomber liston, maurice Fitz, o Shea Bros, and many more but I never had the same respect for Gooch. I think the others got great respect. The Gooch went missing on too many big days to gain the same level of respect. I am not in the least bit surprised that he's trying to cash in on it all. The others didn't. Says it all.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 09/10/2017 20:19:12    2054253

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 09/10/2017 22:45:21    2054275

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1735 - 10/10/2017 09:54:26    2054308

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12115 - 10/10/2017 10:54:02    2054331

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/10/2017 11:27:50    2054350

Haven't read the thread but @ The Hermit thats a good post, and this myth about Gooch not performing in finals is downright bizarre, his record is there for all to see. Even without looking at his record no player in any sport can be brilliant in every single game. It is ludicrous to judge a players career on 1-2 games and then ignore the dozens of occasions when they are the best player on the pitch. No other player ever seems to be judged to the same standard and if you examine any inter county forwards career you will find games where they had an off day or were kept quiet.

That Tyrone team were really exceptional and had Kerry's number back then. I don't actually think there was anything between them in terms of playing talent but tactically Mickey Harte had the upper hand and Kerry were probably a bit naive, they never figured out how to beat the counter attacking football Tyrone played. Tyrone also played Kerry at very opportune times when they were incumbent champions in 2005, and in 2008 they were going for three in a row. Gooch did struggle at times in those games with double marking and lack of supply, but in 2005 he was flying until he sustained an eye injury early in the game that really threw him off. I don't see any great shame in that, and he still put up decent numbers in those games.

People will say what they want, and what suits their agenda but I think Colm and everybody in Kerry is proud of that Kerry team and what they did any time they reached Croke Park in September, That's all that really matters.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 10/10/2017 12:53:18    2054377

I find it very sad that this thread has more comments then the one marking his retirement, if i remember correctly at the time.

Wonderful player, probably one of the best ever and we were blessed to have lived through his playing time. The archetypal skillful technical player, when his strengths were deployed there was no one better.

Whatever your opinion on testimonials really it doesn't take away from the caliber of player he was, five all irelands is a load only a few will match so his record on the biggest days speaks for itself. Personally i wish him the best of luck with his outside interests away from the game. Frankly i like seeing a bit of money going the players way, they always give more then they receive.

Its often said on here the reaction to success and the digs that go with.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 10/10/2017 13:51:57    2054402

IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 10/10/2017 20:32:16    2054514